Growth retail turnover in December restrained by shopping day pattern

Dutch retailers generated almost 2 percent more turnover in December 2006 than in the same month of the previous year. Retail prices were just over 1 percent higher than in December 2005. The increase in retail sales was mainly accounted for by non-food shops. Sales in food shops hardly changed compared to December 2005.

Products sold in non-food shops cost just over 1 percent more in December than one  year previously. The volume of sales in December was over 1 percent up on December 2005.

Prices in the food sector rose by almost 2 percent. The volume of sales in food shops also decreased by nearly 2 percent in December, relative to one year ago. Sales in food shops suffered most from a less favourable shopping day pattern in December.

December’s turnover was clearly affected by a less favourable shopping day pattern. After a rough correction for shopping days, retail turnover was almost 5 percent higher than one year ago and on a par with the trend in the preceding months.

In the year 2006, Dutch retailers generated over 5 percent more turnover, while price rises did not exceed 1 percent. Retail sales bounced back after a three year period of decline. The robust growth in retail sales is also reflected in household consumer spending in 2006.

Turnover in retail trade